Steve Wozniak
Innovator in Residence
Co-Founder of Apple
Access to Innovators
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Innovator in Residence
Steve Wozniak
Apple Co-Founder
Innovator in Residence
Steve Wozniak
Apple Co-Founder
Apple co-founder, or “The Woz”, has been connected with HPU since 2013. Woz meets with students in many majors including computer science, entrepreneurship, communication and more.
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Entrepreneur in Residence
Marc Randolph
Netflix Co-Founder
Entrepreneur in Residence
Marc Randolph
Netflix Co-Founder
Randolph works with students in a variety of majors, such as entrepreneurship, business and communication. He first visited HPU in 2015, when students pitched their business plans.
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Sports Executive in Residence
Cynt Marshall
Dallas Mavericks CEO
Sports Executive in Residence
Cynt Marshall
Dallas Mavericks CEO
Marshall has been CEO of the Dallas Mavericks since 2018. Before joining the professional basketball team, she served as the president of AT&T North Carolina for more than six years.
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Sports Reporter in Residence
Bob Ryan
Retired sports columnist for the Boston Globe
Sports Reporter in Residence
Bob Ryan
Retired sports columnist for the Boston Globe
Ryan has been writing for the Globe since 1968, covering all of Boston’s sports teams. He is well-known for his coverage of basketball and the Boston Celtics in the 1970s.
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Corporate Executive in Residence
Russell Weiner
CEO of Domino's
Corporate Executive in Residence
Russell Weiner
CEO of Domino's
Weiner oversees the global centers of excellence teams responsible for marketing, store growth and development, franchise relations, analytics and insights, and e-commerce.
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Journalist in Residence
Byron Pitts
American journalist and author working for ABC News
Journalist in Residence
Byron Pitts
American journalist and author working for ABC News
Byron Pitts is an American journalist and author working for ABC News. Until 2013, he served as a chief national correspondent for The CBS Evening News.
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Talent Acquisition Expert in Residence
Dee Ann Turner
Chick-Fil-A Former Vice President for Talent
Talent Acquisition Expert in Residence
Dee Ann Turner
Chick-Fil-A Former Vice President for Talent
As CEO of Dee Ann Turner & Associates, LLC, and a two-time bestselling author, Turner is an expert in understanding how employers identify and attract talent to help lead their organizations.
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Sales Professional in Residence
Larry Quinn
Chair of the Department of Marketing and Sales
Sales Professional in Residence
Larry Quinn
Chair of the Department of Marketing and Sales
Larry Quinn has mentored HPU students since 2013 after working in the business world as a top executive in sales and marketing for companies including EDS and Xerox.
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Technology Executive in Residence
Sean Suggs
President, Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina
Technology Executive in Residence
Sean Suggs
President, Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina
As president of Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina (TBMNC), Sean Suggs directs Toyota’s newest plant in North America, overseeing construction and start of production of the $13.9 billion investment.
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Executive Coach in Residence
Dr. John C. Maxwell
Bestselling author and internationally renowned leadership expert
Executive Coach in Residence
Dr. John C. Maxwell
Bestselling author and internationally renowned leadership expert
Dr. John C. Maxwell is a New York Times best selling author and motivational speaker. His titles include The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader.
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Global Leader in Residence
William "Bill" E. Kennard
Former U.S. Ambassador and FCC Chairman
Global Leader in Residence
William "Bill" E. Kennard
Former U.S. Ambassador and FCC Chairman
Kennard served as the U.S. Ambassador to the European Union from 2009 to 2013. He currently serves as the chairman of the Board of Directors of AT&T, Inc.
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Personal Development Expert in Residence
Dr. Willie Jolley
Hall of Fame Speaker and Bestselling Author
Personal Development Expert in Residence
Dr. Willie Jolley
Hall of Fame Speaker and Bestselling Author
Dr. Willie Jolley is an author, radio host, and motivational speaker. He is know for his motivational book, It Only Takes A Minute To Change Your Life. He has been named one of the outstanding five speakers in the World by Toastmasters International and was also inducted into the 2012 Speaker Hall of Fame by the National Speakers Association.
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Dental Innovator in Residence
Dr. Rick Workman
Founder of Heartland Dental
Dental Innovator in Residence
Dr. Rick Workman
Founder of Heartland Dental
Workman serves as Heartland Dental’s executive chairman. Before founding the company in 1997, Workman practiced dentistry for nearly 20 years. Today, Workman provides leadership advice to the more than 1,500 dental offices nationwide through various speaking engagements.
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Health Care Executive in Residence
Dr. Ellen Zane
Former CEO of Tufts Medical Center
Health Care Executive in Residence
Dr. Ellen Zane
Former CEO of Tufts Medical Center
Zane is a nationally renowned health care leader who previously served as the president and CEO of Tufts Medical Center in Boston. She currently holds two faculty appointments at Tufts University School of Medicine and a faculty appointment at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
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Broadcaster in Residence
Joe Michaels
Director of the NBC "Today" show for 22 years
Broadcaster in Residence
Joe Michaels
Director of the NBC "Today" show for 22 years
Joe Michaels joined HPU in 2015 after retiring from a career at “TODAY." The eight-time Emmy award-winning director works with students in the School of Communication.
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Distinction & Relevance Expert In Residence
Scott McKain
Keynote Speaker, Bestselling Author, Sales & Customer Service Expert
Distinction & Relevance Expert In Residence
Scott McKain
Keynote Speaker, Bestselling Author, Sales & Customer Service Expert
McKain is recognized as one of the 50 most influential marketing authors. He is Chairman of the Distinction Institute and a keynote speaker on delivering the Ultimate Customer Experience.
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STEM Educator in Residence
Steve Spangler
STEM Educator, Bestselling Author, Television Personality and Business Leader
STEM Educator in Residence
Steve Spangler
STEM Educator, Bestselling Author, Television Personality and Business Leader
Since the early ’90s, he has been on a mission to get kids and adults excited about science. He is well-known for his work as a STEM education thought leader whose books and online resources are used by both parents and educators to increase student engagement and inspire young scientists. Spangler is also an internet sensation with his explosion-filled educational science videos on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
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Clergy in Residence
Rev. Dr. J. Alexander "Al" Ward
Former Senior Pastor of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church
Clergy in Residence
Rev. Dr. J. Alexander "Al" Ward
Former Senior Pastor of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church
Ward graduated from High Point University in 1974. He went on to receive his Master of Divinity at Duke Divinity School and a Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary.
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Strategic Communication Expert in Residence
Christopher Ullman
Founder & President of Ullman Communications LLC
Strategic Communication Expert in Residence
Christopher Ullman
Founder & President of Ullman Communications LLC
Chris Ullman is a communications professional with 35 years of experience across private, public, and non-profit sectors. In 2018, he established Ullman Communications LLC, a strategic advisory firm, serving the C-Suite, with an emphasis on financial services.
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Leadership Expert in Residence
Mark Sanborn
President of Sanborn & Associates, Inc.
Leadership Expert in Residence
Mark Sanborn
President of Sanborn & Associates, Inc.
Award-winning speaker, bestselling author, and globally recognized leadership expert.
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Personal Development Expert In Residence
Marilyn Sherman
Hall of Fame Speaker
Personal Development Expert In Residence
Marilyn Sherman
Hall of Fame Speaker
Marilyn Sherman was was inducted into the National Speaker Association’s CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame in 2018. She is one of 182 members in the world who hold this designation, that is a representation of her body of work in the speaking profession to the clients she has served for over 25 years.
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Health Care Expert in Residence
Sue Downes
CEO and co-founder of MyEyeDr
Health Care Expert in Residence
Sue Downes
CEO and co-founder of MyEyeDr
Sue Downes had an extensive career in the eye care industry prior to starting the company, and has worked in almost every area of the eye care field for more than thirty years. Beginning with one office in 2001, she has led the MyEyeDr. brand to over 800 locations across twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia, with more practices joining every month.
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Sports Business Executive in Residence
Charlie Freeman
President of Business Operations with Orlando Magic
Sports Business Executive in Residence
Charlie Freeman
President of Business Operations with Orlando Magic
He was responsible for the design, construction, and development of the Amway Center in downtown Orlando. In October 2012, Freeman was promoted to Chief Revenue Officer. In this role, he oversaw all sales and marketing efforts for the organization. For all of his efforts, Freeman was selected to the SportsBusiness Journal’s Forty Under 40, a recognition that spotlights the nation’s top young sports executives under the age of 40.
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Human Capital Expert in Residence
Johnny Taylor
President and CEO of SHRM
Human Capital Expert in Residence
Johnny Taylor
President and CEO of SHRM
Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, is President and CEO of SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management. With over 300,000 members in 165 countries, SHRM is the largest HR trade association in the world, impacting the lives of 115 million workers. A nationally bestselling author, Mr. Taylor is a sought-after voice on all matters affecting work. He is the author of RESET: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval. Immediately upon its release in September 2021, RESET was in the top three of the Wall Street Journal’s list of best-selling hardcover business books.
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Persuasion Expert In Residence
Phil M Jones
Business Communication Expert, Best Selling Author, Hall of Fame Speaker
Persuasion Expert In Residence
Phil M Jones
Business Communication Expert, Best Selling Author, Hall of Fame Speaker
Best known for his international best-selling book, Exactly What to Say – The Magic Words for Influence and Impact and his vast experience as a professional speaker at conferences and events. What is often overlooked is the strategic intellect he provides behind the scenes for some of the world’s biggest brands to understand their critical conversations and the success language required to maximize their effectiveness. To date, more than 800 different industries, across 59 countries and 5 continents have benefitted from his input. Trusted by dynamic and aspiring leaders in Healthcare, Real Estate, Automotive, Financial Services, SaaS, Home Improvement, Retail, and many more – Phil is the kind of expert that achieves his success through the people he supports and adores seeing other people shine.
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Business Growth and Leadership Expert in Residence
Meridith Powell
Award-Winning Business Expert, Professional Keynote Speaker and Bestselling Author
Business Growth and Leadership Expert in Residence
Meridith Powell
Award-Winning Business Expert, Professional Keynote Speaker and Bestselling Author
Sales strategist, leadership expert, Certified Speaking Professional, and award-winning author, Meridith Elliott Powell wants today’s businesses to stop viewing uncertainty as something that prevents them from being successful. This is why her virtual programs, leadership coaching, online courses, and keynote presentations leverage her 9 step formula for making uncertainty your company’s strategic advantage™.
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Network Television Producer in Residence
Sellers Shy
Lead Golf Producer for CBS Sports
Network Television Producer in Residence
Sellers Shy
Lead Golf Producer for CBS Sports
Shy got an early start on his career at CBS, serving as a volunteer runner as a 14-year-old for what was then his hometown’s only professional franchise, the Danny Thomas Memphis Classic. Before long, he was offering to drive to other PGA Tour stops, including every PGA Championship dating to 1992, with the exception of 1995 when it was held all the way in California at Riviera Country Club.
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Data Expert in Residence
Teena Piccione
Secretary & State Chief Information Officer at NCDIT
Data Expert in Residence
Teena Piccione
Secretary & State Chief Information Officer at NCDIT
Teena Piccione (pronounced pitch-OWN-ee) joined the N.C. Department of Information Technology in January 2025.
As Secretary and State Chief Information Officer, she leads the agency responsible for strategic IT planning and the procurement and delivery of IT services and solutions as well as cybersecurity and efforts to expand broadband access and affordability across North Carolina.
Prior to NCDIT, Piccione was the managing director for Cloud and Customer Engineering over Telecommunications, Media, Entertainment and Gaming at Google. She has also worked at RTI International as executive vice president and chief technology officer, at Fidelity Investments as senior vice president and chief operating officer, and at AT&T as vice president and leader of the Big Data Center of Excellence.
Piccione has also served on the N.C. Information Technology Strategy Board's Digital Transformation Committee where she advised NCDIT on vision, mission and goals for digital transformation and helped develop a digital transformation roadmap for the state.
Prior to NCDIT, Piccione was the managing director for Cloud and Customer Engineering over Telecommunications, Media, Entertainment and Gaming at Google. She has also worked at RTI International as executive vice president and chief technology officer, at Fidelity Investments as senior vice president and chief operating officer, and at AT&T as vice president and leader of the Big Data Center of Excellence.
Piccione has also served on the N.C. Information Technology Strategy Board's Digital Transformation Committee where she advised NCDIT on vision, mission and goals for digital transformation and helped develop a digital transformation roadmap for the state.
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Wealth Management Expert in Residence
Mark Bradburn
Founder and Co-Managing Financial Advisor of The Bradburn Group at Morgan Stanley
Wealth Management Expert in Residence
Mark Bradburn
Founder and Co-Managing Financial Advisor of The Bradburn Group at Morgan Stanley
When he was only 10 years old, Bradburn dreamed of helping others as a financial advisor. He attributes his success to his work ethic, self-confidence and growth mindset. Bradburn believes in being passionate about your career and giving 110% every day. Bradburn has also hosted HPU students at his NYC headquarters as part of HPU’s landmark “HPU in the City” corporate externship program.
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Executive in Residence
Alan McCollough
Former Circuit City CEO
Executive in Residence
Alan McCollough
Former Circuit City CEO
McCollough brings a wealth of business knowledge to his new role at HPU. After joining Circuit City as general manager of corporate operations in 1987, he moved up the ranks and was named the company’s president and chief operating officer in 1997. He served in that role for three years before being appointed president and CEO in 2000 and president, CEO and chairman of the board in 2002.
Under McCollough’s leadership, Circuit City opened new stores across the country and remodeled existing stores to give them a fresh look. He retired from the company in 2006, and the following year was elected to the board of directors for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. He also served on the board of directors for La-Z-Boy and VF Corporation, one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies.
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Customer Experience Expert In Residence
Shep Hyken
Award-Winning Keynote Speaker , Bestselling Author, World-renowned expert in Customer Service & Customer Experience
Customer Experience Expert In Residence
Shep Hyken
Award-Winning Keynote Speaker , Bestselling Author, World-renowned expert in Customer Service & Customer Experience
Meet Shep Hyken, the CAO (Chief Amazement Officer) of Shepard Presentations and one of the world’s leading authorities on customer service and customer experience (CX). As a keynote speaker, he has been inducted into the National Speakers Association Hall-of-Fame for lifetime achievement in the speaking industry. His speeches are content-rich, motivational, and entertaining. His focus is on delivering amazing customer service, customer engagement, managing the customer experience, and creating customer loyalty.
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Media Production and Sales Expert In Residence
Theresa Patiri
SVP of Production, Business Affairs & Global Program Partnerships
Media Production and Sales Expert In Residence
Theresa Patiri
SVP of Production, Business Affairs & Global Program Partnerships
A dynamic and accomplished entertainment executive with over 25 years of experience in the industry, Theresa Patiri currently serves as Senior Vice President of Production, Operations & Business Affairs for WE tv, AMC Networks’ home of compelling, can’t miss unscripted series and AllBlk, the company’s premium streaming service featuring a diverse lineup of content that spans across genres and generations.
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Artist in Residence
Monique Rollins
World-Renowned Artist
Artist in Residence
Monique Rollins
World-Renowned Artist
Monique Rollins is an internationally acclaimed contemporary artist whose work is inspired by the rich colors of the Venetian Renaissance and the diverse land and cityscapes of her adoptive Italy. As the founder of John William Gallery, Rollins built an international roster of artists and the Emerging Curator Platform in which she developed a ground-breaking partnership with the Delaware Art Museum and the Museum Studies Program at the University of Delaware. The Platform initiative supports students from underrepresented communities in the museum field, highlights the role of curators, and showcases the work of artists from historically marginalized groups in exhibition and collection programs.
Rollins received her BFA from Syracuse University in New York in 2002. In 2006, she earned an MFA in painting, a Master of Science in Theory, Criticism and History of Art degree specializing in Venetian Renaissance, and a Museum Studies Certification from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. Rollins’ work has been exhibited across the world in various acclaimed art galleries, as well as in many prominent private collections in North America, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean.
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Fashion, Furniture, Textile Designer and Entrepreneur in Residence
Alexander Julian
American Fashion Designer
Fashion, Furniture, Textile Designer and Entrepreneur in Residence
Alexander Julian
American Fashion Designer
As a recognized design guru, Alex has been featured in numerous books including New York Interiors by Beate Wendekind and Angelica Paschen, Living with Antiques by Pat McMillan, Color for Real Rooms by Sarah Lynch, Color and Light by Donald Kaufman and Taffy Dahl, The Perfect Home and The Perfect Home: Celebrity Designer Collections, both by Joseph Carroll.
He is Emeritus Director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America and the International Design Conference in Aspen. As a Board Member of Americans for the Arts, he chaired the Congressional Breakfast on National Arts Day with a memorable speech before introducing the new Chair Jane Alexander and longtime NEA contributor Harry Belefonte.
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HPU Alumni Sports Host In Residence - Class of 2010
Lyndsay Rowley
Television Host and Rinkside Reporter - Nashville Predators
HPU Alumni Sports Host In Residence - Class of 2010
Lyndsay Rowley
Television Host and Rinkside Reporter - Nashville Predators
Lyndsay Rowley enters her eighth season with the Nashville Predators and sixth season as the pregame and postgame co-host for Predators LIVE on Bally Sports South. Along with her home game duties, she also hosts Predators LIVE and reports rinkside for road contests. Before her current role, she spent three seasons as the rinkside reporter for all Predators home games and select away games on Bally Sports South.
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HPU Alumni Entrepreneur In Residence - Class of 2020
Caitie Gehlhausen
Serial Entrepreneur, CEO and Founder - Lock It
HPU Alumni Entrepreneur In Residence - Class of 2020
Caitie Gehlhausen
Serial Entrepreneur, CEO and Founder - Lock It
Caitie Gehlhausen is a distinguished alumna of HPU, having graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2020 with a dual degree in Finance and Entrepreneurship. During her time at the university, she demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit by establishing Socket Lock-It. As the driving force behind Socket Lock-It, she orchestrated its successful launch into over 3,000 Walmart stores by 2021, and ventured into the pet industry with a product launch in 2022.
Check out her website!
Check out her website!
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Educator and Entrepreneur In Residence
Danielle Lindner
Entrepreneur, Author, Early Childhood Expert & Parenting Coach
Educator and Entrepreneur In Residence
Danielle Lindner
Entrepreneur, Author, Early Childhood Expert & Parenting Coach
Renowned in early childhood education, Danielle Lindner founded The London Day School®, recognized for its focus on STEM & Character Education. She is the author of 16 children’s books and theParents’ Pocket Guide to Surviving the Preschool Years, a top 10 best-selling child development book on Amazon. She is also the creator of Miss Danielle’s Preschoolbuds, a live action children's show on Amazon Prime. Danielle has appeared on several morning shows & is a frequent contributor to many parenting publications such as NBC, Fox, Huffington Post & LA Parent. Leading Women Entrepreneurs & Business Owners named Danielle a Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneur.
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Artist in Residence
Lee Greenwood
Award-Winning Singer and Performer
Artist in Residence
Lee Greenwood
Award-Winning Singer and Performer
Throughout his expansive career, international country music icon Lee Greenwood has earned multiple CMA and ACM Awards, a Grammy Award for Top Male Vocal Performance on “I.O.U,” in 1985, and a multitude of other prestigious awards nominations. His discography includes twenty-two studio albums, seven compilation albums, seven No. 1 hits, and thirty-eight singles including songs like “It Turns Me Inside Out,” “Ring On Her Finger Time on Her Hands,” “She’s Lyin’,” “I Don’t Mind the Thorns if You’re the Rose,” “Dixie Road,” “Somebody’s Gonna Love You,” “Going Going Gone,” “You Got A Good Love Comin’,” among others. His stand-out hit “God Bless the U.S.A.” has been in the top five on the country singles charts three times (1991, 2001, and 2003), giving it the distinction of being the only song in any genre of music to achieve that feat. It reached the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart shortly after 9/11. Known for his stand-out patriotism and support of the U.S. military, Greenwood has been honored with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s National Patriot’s Award and entertained troops on more than 30 USO Tours.
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Executive In Residence
Rebecca Linder
Founder + Chief Visionary Officer, Linder Global Enterprises
Executive In Residence
Rebecca Linder
Founder + Chief Visionary Officer, Linder Global Enterprises
Rebecca, a leader, entrepreneur, and innovator, stands as a beacon of inspiration not only in the global event industry but across the broader landscape of consulting, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With over thirty years of visionary leadership, her passion for strategic convening, cutting-edge design, and seamless production has propelled her to the forefront of the field and beyond.
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HPU’s Expert in Residence
Neen James
Expert and Leadership Strategist
HPU’s Expert in Residence
Neen James
Expert and Leadership Strategist
Neen James is an author, keynote speaker, and leadership strategist. Her model of communicating, activating, and elevating is popular with her clients. Neen has been named one of the Top 30 Leadership Speakers by Global Guru several years in a row because of her work with companies like Viacom, Comcast, and Virtuoso Travel, among others.
In-Residence Visits
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Mentorship Moments
Words of "Wozdom"
HPU students gather with Woz at HPU’s Innovation Roundtable. During the conversation, students were able to delve into the mind of the man who invented the Apple I and Apple II computers.
Successful Businessman
“When a successful businessman like Marc Randolph tells us what to do with our product and our business, that’s a lesson we can take and apply – a lesson that we wouldn’t have normally thought of. This would not have happened at any other school” -HPU student Reza Moghtaderi Esfahani
Dom Tech Sports
HPU Alum Emily DeLena 16’co-founded her business, DomTech Sports. Netflix Co-founder Marc Randolph changed my life when he told me this simple but impactful thing: Build your prototype!
Driving the Future
Computer science and physics students are developing a driverless vehicle to make deliveries around campus. Wozniak’s wisdom has served as their North star while they navigate the process.
From Blogger to Business Owner
“I didn’t think of myself as an entrepreneur before I met Mr. Randolph; I was just a girl with a blog. But it was a mind-opening experience that changed my perspective on everything.” -HPU student Mandy Engelman
The Future of Pharmacy
Students in the Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy engage with Wozniak at a Health and Innovation Forum, as they discuss software and applications designed to streamline patient care.
Thriving in the Workplace with Dee Ann Turner
Hear from Former Chick-Fil-A Vice President for Talent and HPU's Talent Acquisition Expert in Residence, Dee Ann Turner in this Life Skills Seminar.
Selling Yourself with Larry Quinn
Learn from Former National Sales Training Manager at Xerox and HPU's Sales Professional in Residence, Larry Quinn in this Life Skills Seminar.
